Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, with a national profile that runs well ahead of its size, carried in large part by a perennial powerhouse men's basketball program and a Catholic, liberal-arts core that threads through every major. About 4,976 undergraduates study here at an 11-to-1 student-faculty ratio, and admission is moderately selective: roughly 80% of applicants are admitted, with enrolled first-years posting middle-50% SAT scores of 1230–1383 and an average high school GPA near 3.70. Business is the largest field by a wide margin, followed by the social sciences and a well-regarded engineering program. Gonzaga has no fraternities or sororities, houses about 93% of first-years on campus, and meets roughly 86% of demonstrated financial need on average.
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Gonzaga admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Gonzaga offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Gonzaga is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Gonzaga's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 39% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Gonzaga does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Gonzaga weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Gonzaga's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Gonzaga admissions
Is it hard to get into Gonzaga?＋
Gonzaga is moderately selective rather than a reach. It admitted about 79.6% of roughly 8,900 applicants in the most recent cycle, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1230–1383 with an average GPA near 3.70. Strong grades in a college-prep curriculum matter most, since Gonzaga weighs the rigor of your high school record and academic GPA as its two very important factors.
What GPA do you need to get into Gonzaga?＋
Enrolled first-years at Gonzaga average about a 3.70 high school GPA, and the class leans toward the top of the cohort: among the 39% who reported a class rank, roughly 69% finished in the top quarter of their graduating class. There is no firm cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your coursework are the two factors Gonzaga rates as very important, so a record of mostly A's in challenging classes is the strongest signal.
Is a 1300 SAT good enough for Gonzaga?＋
A 1300 is a solid score for Gonzaga, landing right around the middle of admitted students. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1230–1383 on the SAT (29–32 ACT), with a median near 1320. Gonzaga is test-optional, so you can apply without scores; only about 19% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT, and scores are considered rather than required when you do send them.
Does applying Early Action to Gonzaga improve your chances?＋
Gonzaga offers a nonbinding Early Action plan with a November 15 deadline. Applying early gets you an admission decision well ahead of the regular cycle without committing you to enroll, so you stay free to weigh other offers. It also signals interest, which Gonzaga rates as an important factor, though the university publishes no separate early-round admit rate and applies the same holistic review to early and regular applicants.
Does Gonzaga have fraternities and sororities?＋
No. Gonzaga has no fraternities or sororities, so Greek life is not part of the social scene. Campus life centers on residence halls and student organizations instead, with about 93% of first-year students living in college-owned housing. Activities range from club sports and performing arts to a busy Campus Ministry that reflects the university's Jesuit identity.
What are the most popular majors at Gonzaga?＋
Business is the most popular field at Gonzaga by a wide margin, making up about 29% of bachelor's degrees. The social sciences (13%) come next, followed by engineering and computer science (12%) and the natural sciences (10%). Psychology, the health professions, and communication round out the most-conferred areas, reflecting Gonzaga's mix of professional programs and a Jesuit liberal-arts core.
How much does Gonzaga cost, and how much financial aid does it give?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $59,510 a year, with food and housing adding roughly $17,135 on top. Gonzaga is generous with aid: about 54% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, the average need-based package is around $50,082, and the university meets about 86% of demonstrated financial need on average.
Does the application essay matter at Gonzaga?＋
Yes, though it sits below grades in the review. Gonzaga considers the application essay as part of a holistic read, alongside test scores, recommendations, and character, while academic GPA and the rigor of your coursework are the two very important factors. Because so much of the decision rests on your transcript, a focused, well-revised essay is a useful way to add context and show fit, especially if you apply test-optional.
Source: Gonzaga University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Gonzaga. Banner photo by Gregg M. Erickson, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).